STRATFORD'S newest entertainment venue gets a grand unveiling this weekend.

The Royal Shakespeare Company is opening the doors of its SummerHouse with a packed programme featuring music, comedy, children's shows and workshops

From Saturday, the SummerHouse will be open every day, except Mondays, from 11am-11pm and the RSC is confidently predicting it will become one of the town's premiere places in which to relax and enjoy refreshments.

The main musical highlight in the first two weeks will be an appearance on Sunday, at 7pm, by Sarah-Jane Morris and Band. Sarah-Jane, best known for her contribution to the Communards hit Don't Leave Me This Way, is a high point of some great jazz nights in store over the next few weeks.

Comedy is represented on Saturday and May 25 (and thereafter the last Friday of every month) with Adam Montgomery of The Comedy Zone hosting the weekend's laughs from the best in local talent. Innovative theatre is on the bill on May 18 and 19 when the SummerHouse hosts Torch Theatre's Conversation with A Cupboard Man - a one-man show featuring Craig Rogan.

On May 19 and 20 there is also an acrobatic stilt ballet, The Jigsaw Piece, from Curious Theatre Company.

Events designed with children in mind include Friday groove sessions for 10-13 year-olds and a Madhatters Tea Party (May 24) - a hands-on session for budding hat and headwear makers.

In the practical demonstrations range, they begin on Saturday with fight director Terry King leading a demonstration on fight choreography and on May 24, journalist and writer Daniel Roesenthal begins a series of discussions when he looks back at A Century of Screen Hamlets.

All events can be booked on 01789 403403. More information is on 01789 403440.